Dear Parents & Carers,

There has been much joy this term in taking our groups for extended forest trips, complete with a pack lunch but also having more resources to hand, such as rope, hammocks, tarp for shelters, magnifiers to examine flowers and bugs, water colours to paint with, and clay. This has been made possible by having consistent levels of adult supervision in place, including parent and other volunteers, and greater resilience coming from the children, as their confidence and familiarity with the forest landscape has grown. Our forest trips really are special, for the children and adults alike! We also had a number of Seagulls families going on the recent Saturday Family Walk in Leigh Woods to see the bluebells.  

We understand that all children develop at their own pace, and that we’re all learning from birth. When it’s time to start school, some children will need more help than others.

There are key skills* that schools expect children to be learning before their first day. Practising these will make your child’s journey to Reception as positive as possible.

If your child is already at nursery, in pre-school, or with a childminder, those professionals will work with you and your child to help get them ready.

There’s lots you can do at home to build your child’s confidence and independence, helping them feel emotionally and practically prepared to start school.

Dear Blackbirds parents and carers,

We have had some wonderful cultural celebrations with the children this term. We celebrated Lunar new year; reading books, watching lion dances and using the lion puppet during circle time. We decorated the Blackbirds room for Lunar New Year. One of the children noticed the lanterns and asked his Mum if they could decorate their house with lanterns too! Many of our children and staff have observed Ramadan and celebrated Eid this term. In Blackbirds we made a crescent moon to mark Ramadan. The children had lots of fun collaging the moon and it is now hanging up in Blackbirds. We are learning a new song called "magical moon", which uses makaton signs and links to the lunar festivals we have been celebrating. Here is a link to the song on You Tube Magical Moon with makaton

Dear Seagulls parents and carers,

January and February, coming roughly in the middle of the school year, can be a time of promise and excitement for the children. While there may be some trepidation initially after the Christmas break, most were eager to see their friends again and be ready to continue their nursery adventure, knowing what to expect but also hoping for new things to learn about and experience.